Would God Have Us?

Over three hundred years ago, an uneducated cook in a French monastery known as Brother Lawrence discovered how to enjoy a profound awareness of God moment by moment, even in the midst of busyness and distraction. A little book called “The Practice of the Presence of God” compiled from his letters has been translated into English and become a classic on the devotional life permanently warping [in a good way!!!] my understanding of prayer. I used to think prayer was about making lists and asking for stuff. For myself and for other people. And certainly, that is an appropriate use of prayer. Or Jesus would have never encouraged us to "ask and you shall receive." But prayer cannot be limited to lists because prayer is about listening twice as much we talk! It's about the inevitable relationship that grows when we keep company with God. Not just at church or before meals, but during every waking moment of our lives. Listen to Brother Lawrence explain why:

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God: those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because God would have us.

Aren't you glad loves us like crazy and "would have us"! How did I not know when done unto God, that ALL work is sacred? How have I missed that every moment is prayer!!! Stay tuned next time for a few ways I've experieced God in prayer beyond the meal and outside of church!!! Click pic to purchase this [really] old-school stocking stuffer!!!